2010 Consumer Survey Reports Find Families Now More than Ever on the Hunt for Savings
Spartan Stores Responds with Value Price Program for Easy, Healthy Savings
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From Oprah to internet bloggers, to coupon clipping services and smart phone apps, our airwaves, mailboxes and monitors are filled with advice on how to save money on everything from apples to zinc -- and nearly every consumer product in between. These tough economic times have families turning to whatever means they can to save money – including spending smarter on staples, like groceries.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100329/CL77847 )
A recent survey conducted by the business-advisory firm AlixPartners(1) found big spending shifts are expected in 2010 for consumer products. Results cited an evolution of the American consumer -- where this past year consumers had been 'value shoppers', they have evolved into 'value-hunters', tracking down deals and perceived value.
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Spartan Stores has developed a very simple solution through the introduction of its new Value Price Program in its Family Fare, Felpausch, Glen's Markets, and VG's throughout Michigan in March of 2010. According to Alan Hartline, Executive Vice President Merchandising and Marketing for Spartan Stores, "We understand the consumers' heightened need to find value and, as part of our overall consumer-centric retail strategy, we are launching a comprehensive Value Price Program statewide in March to offer special, low cost product pricing and an enhanced promotion and advertising program to make these items easier to find and show the consumer how much money they are saving today."
Value Price Program items will be advertised statewide through television, radio, web, print, newspaper inserts, and in-store with large yellow oval signs for weekly specials, Basket of Values, Wall of Values, and special pricing on thousands of essential household items consumers buy most often.
Large bright yellow ceiling, wall and shelf tags and ads will clearly inform shoppers the price drop and the savings.
"Groceries, prescriptions and fuel are important necessities for consumers, and this value pricing strategy is a significant investment to offer consumers good value at our retail stores," added Hartline. "Our high quality, multi-tier corporate brands, in-store pharmacies, discount generic prescription program, and fuel center rewards program are other examples of how we have modified our offerings to bring consumers even better values during this challenging economic time. We want the consumers to know that we are constantly thinking of ways to enhance the value that we bring to them."
And the shelf tags tie in with Spartan Stores Nutrition Guide information to help make quick, smart decisions based on low sodium, low fat, low calorie, high fiber, gluten free, and sugar free items.
The 2010 Consumer Survey by the National Grocers Association(2 ) findings note that high unemployment and economic uncertainty have more families staying home and eating out less often. Consumers also are comparison shopping, seeking value and price, making less trips to the store, buying only what is needed, switching to store brands from name brands, choosing local and healthier items, and stocking up on sale priced staples.
According to the NGA's 2010 Consumer Report, Spartan Stores' approach is just what families throughout Michigan want:
- Three out of four respondents (73%) say they 'stock up on bargain items'
- 66% 'look in newspapers for grocery specials', up four points from 2009
- 65% 'use cents-off coupons received in the mail or from newspapers/magazines', up one point from a year ago
- 41% also request 'More locally grown foods' , which is in direct line with Spartan Stores Michigan's Best program featuring 2400 products grown or produced in Michigan
- 16% seek nutrition and health information, indicating Spartan Stores' Nutrition Guide shelf tags for over 17,000 products is valued
The Value Price Program will be an ongoing in Spartan Stores' Family Fare, Felpausch, Glen's and VG's supermarkets.
For a complete list of store locations, visit online at:
Family Fare Supermarket/Quick Stop www.familyfaresupermarkets.com
Felpausch Supermarket/Quick Stop www.felpausch.com
Glen's Markets Supermarket/Quick Stop www.glensmarket.com
VG's www.vgsfood.com
About Spartan Stores …
Spartan Stores is the nation's eleventh largest grocery distributor headquartered in Byron Center, Michigan. The corporation owns and operates 96 retail supermarkets throughout Michigan and Northern Indiana under the corporate banners of D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Felpausch Food Centers , Glen's Markets, Glen's Fresh Marketplace, and VG's. Spartan Stores also distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to nearly 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
2. 2010 Consumer Report by the National Grocers Association, SupermarketGuru.com
SOURCE Spartan Stores
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